Former Farmers Arms pub closed again

Boarded up: The Bell and Bottle pub has closed

The future of the former Farmers Arms pub on Church Street, Garstang is again uncertain after it closed within weeks of re-opening.

The pub reopened with a new name, The Bell and Bottle, in November, but now has metal shutters over its doors and windows.

Nateby-based Tangerine Taverns said it had surrendered its lease.

Managing Director Ross Wallis said: “We’ve withdrawn from the site due to a number of issues with the brewery. It’s been boarded up for health and safety and insurance purposes and as far as we know it will be going up for sale in the new year.”

He added: “There were a number of issues surrounding the sale of the pub. Things cropped up - we’ve decided to cut our ties from the site.”

Mr Wallis said the company is still working with owners Punch Taverns on other sites.

Ironically the new name was meant to give it a new start.

When it reopened Tangerine Taverns said the decision to change the pub’s name had been prompted by the stigma of the problems associated with the pub building several years ago, when it was known as the Farmers’ Arms.

It had traded as an Italian restaurant, Salvatore’s, for much of the past three years.

Tangerine Taverns,(formerly Town and Country Inns), is currently based at Nateby Technology Park, but is moving to Blackburn on January 1.

It had been in the process of buying the pub’s freehold from the building’s owners Punch Taverns. No-one from Punch Taverns was available for comment.

Bell and Bottle manager Andrew Hogton had previously worked in local pubs and had described the premises as “a stunning pub in a great location.”

Mr Wallis said Mr Hogton would be working for Tangerine Taverns again in the near future.

The suddeness of the closure is signalled by the banner still hanging on its side wall saying “Celebrate Christmas here.”

Meanwhile the lease on the 18th century Church Inn on Bonds Lane is up for sale at £25,000, with the premises described as a “charming traditional inn witha stunning beer garden”.

The lease is offered at £25,000, which includes fixtures and fittings.